An incredible story in France. Tuesday removal in Vierzon of the boss of a cryptocurrency company and his partner. They were released by the gendarmerie after a two -day hunt. The kidnappers, who were arrested, had claimed a ransom equivalent to several million euros.
You probably only know the city of Vierzon by the quote that Jacques Brel does in his song Vesoul. “You wanted to see Vierzon and we saw Vierzon, you wanted to see Vesoul and we saw Vesoul. Heating Marcel!”
From now on, you can associate the small town of Cher (25,000 inhabitants) with an astonishing criminal action. The removal of David Balland, co -founder of the Ledger cryptocurrency company.
This 36 -year -old entrepreneur created in 2014 with two friends a website, where investors could make bitcoin purchases and receive them on a USB key at home.
In a few years, they have perfected their system and have become the world leader in, I quote, “The conception of robust cryptocurrency physical portfolios which allow everyone to manage their own cryptoactives live”.
The company was valued at around 1.3 billion euros. When I discovered this information, I fell naked. I did not imagine that one could become a billionaire by selling bitcoins from Vierzon. On the other hand, the kidnappers knew very well to whom they attacked.
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230 gendarmes mobilized
At dawn Tuesday, David Balland and his partner are kidnapped at their home in Vierzon and immediately separated. The criminals then contacted Eric Larchevêque, another co -founder of Ledger, to claim a ransom of several million in cryptocurrencies. They are not kidding and playing a video that shows that they cut a finger at David Balland. Justice is warned and mobilizes major means: 230 gendarmes, including GIGN.
As in the films, a negotiator comes into contact with the kidnappers and part of the ransom is paid. But during this time, the investigation continues. Very quickly, the investigations and a first arrest make it possible to identify the place where David Balland is kidnapped, in Châteauroux.
The GIGN intervenes on Wednesday, calls two people and releases David Balland. They stop a fourth suspect in the night. Thursday, the gendarmes discovered the companion of David Balland tied up in a vehicle in Étampes, in the Paris region. Six other kidnappers are then captured.
In all, ten people, nine men and a woman, were placed in police custody. Most of them already known police services for common law acts, but not for organized crime. Young people, between 20 and 40 years old, they are like their victims of the Bitcoin generation. From now on, robberies will no longer be done in the jewelry stores in Place Vendôme, in Paris, but in the provinces, in Vierzon, or perhaps in Vesoul.
Signed Giltay France Cryptomonnaies Rançon Remont
